News Details

Windstream Awarded Multimillion-Dollar Contract by the National Weather Service

December 22, 2014

LITTLE ROCK, Ark., Dec. 22, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Windstream (Nasdaq:WIN), a leading provider of advanced network and cloud communications, announced today it has been awarded a five-year multimillion-dollar contract by the National Weather Service (NWS) to deliver high-speed Internet connectivity utilizing Windstream's Ethernet access and transport to regional NWS Weather Forecast Offices (WFO), located throughout the country. Windstream will provide fiber optic circuit installation, Internet services and technical support for these select regional offices that currently have limited Internet access.

The NWS is a component of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), an operating unit of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The NWS provides weather, hydrologic and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters and ocean areas, for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy. NWS data and products form a national information database and infrastructure, which can be used by other governmental agencies, the private sector, the public and the global community.

With such a wide span of responsibilities, accuracy and timeliness of NWS weather reporting is vital. Windstream's secure, high-speed 100M dedicated Internet circuits will improve NWS's interagency communication by streamlining and enhancing reporting processes across offices, including the distribution of graphic weather reports.

"It's such a privilege to collaborate with the National Weather Service, knowing that their reports save lives in many cases," said Mike Magliato, Windstream's vice president of government sales and solutions. "With Windstream's Internet services, including Layer 2 Ethernet, the National Weather Service will have greater bandwidth and flexibility to perform the most accurate, up-to-the-minute weather reporting. This contract benefits not only the NWS, but the many agencies and individuals who regularly rely on its weather reporting capabilities."

Per the new contract, Windstream will execute the initial circuit build out at the WFO facilities, provide Internet access and equipment, and perform circuit monitoring, maintenance and service restoration as needed.

Since 2005, Windstream and its subsidiaries have been serving governmental entities, including the NWS; the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD); the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA); the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); the U.S. Department of Treasury; the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA); the U.S. Army, Air Force and Navy; U.S. Federal Courts; and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

About Windstream

Windstream, a FORTUNE 500 and S&P 500 company, is a leading provider of advanced network communications and technology solutions, including cloud computing and managed services, to businesses nationwide. The company also offers broadband, phone and digital TV services to consumers primarily in rural areas. For more information, visit the company's online newsroom at news.windstream.com or follow on Twitter at @WindstreamNews.

CONTACT: Windstream Contact:

         Tanja Jameson

         501-748-7236

         tanja.jameson@windstream.com

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